Father Mike Schmitz hosts day 73 of The Bible in a Year podcast, reading from Numbers 26, Deuteronomy 27, and Psalm 111 using The Bible in the Revised Standard Version Second Catholic Edition.

The episode covers the second census of Israel after 40 years in the wilderness, showing which tribes survived to enter the Promised Land. Father Mike uses The Great Adventure Bible from Ascension Press, which organizes Scripture chronologically from Genesis to Revelation.

The reading transitions from the final census in Numbers to Moses' instructions for entering the Promised Land in Deuteronomy, including the establishment of blessing and curse ceremonies on two mountains.

Second Census Reveals Wilderness Survival Numbers

After 40 years in the wilderness, Israel's fighting force decreased minimally from 603,550 to 601,730 men aged twenty and older, a reduction of only 1,820 people despite the judgment generation dying off.

The census serves dual purposes: identifying fighting men for the coming conquest and determining land allocation - 'To a large tribe you shall give a large inheritance, and to a small tribe you shall give a small inheritance' - Father Mike explains from The Bible.

Only Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun survived from the original generation numbered at Mount Sinai, fulfilling God's declaration that the rebellious generation would die in the wilderness.

Land Distribution System Balances Size and Divine Providence

The Promised Land will be divided proportionally by tribe size but allocated by lot, ensuring fairness - 'The fairest way you can do this, divided up the property according to the size of the tribe, and then said, okay, according to the lot, that's where your land is going to be' - Father Mike.

The Levites receive no territorial inheritance because 'God Himself was their inheritance' and will serve in worship leadership at the future temple location.

Father Mike emphasizes that while the lot system appears random, believers understand God's providence governs all outcomes in the land distribution process.

Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal Ceremony Establishes Covenant Boundaries

Moses commands the Israelites to inscribe the law on plastered stones at Mount Ebal and build an altar of unhewn stones for burnt and peace offerings upon entering the land.

Six tribes (Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, Benjamin) will stand on Mount Gerizim for blessings while six others (Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, Naphtali) stand on Mount Ebal for curses.

The twelve curses from The Bible cover fundamental violations: idolatry, dishonoring parents, moving property boundaries, misleading the disabled, perverting justice for vulnerable populations, and various sexual immoralities.

Three-Fold Love Response to God's Covenant

Father Mike identifies three ways to demonstrate love for God: 'We can show you our love by worshiping you. We can show you our love by obeying your commandments. And we can show you our love by loving and caring for our brother and our sister among us.'

Psalm 111 reinforces God's faithfulness: 'He is ever mindful of His covenant' and 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom' as foundational principles for covenant living.

The podcast continues the chronological journey through The Great Adventure Bible timeline, approaching the conquest of the Promised Land under Joshua's leadership.